On Ministerial Duties
On Ministerial Duties
The Daily Life of a Minister
One of the areas of study to be covered during our fall retreat, training and ordination celebration is the Daily Life of a Minister. As I contemplate how to best prepare ordination candidates to live the life of an ordained minister, I find myself reflecting upon the difficulties, joys, sorrows and rewards that I myself experience.
Last week, I met with a couple who asked me to perform their wedding ceremony. Let's call them Dale and Susan. It was clear that Susan was running the show. Dale sat back in his chair and barely uttered a word. No matter how many times I paused the conversation to ask Dale what he would like to add regarding this special and sacred event, he did not respond.
After some time had passed, and Susan discussed every aspect of her wedding ceremony, I suggested that the three of us spend some time together in preparation for this sacred event and offered the couple some sessions in spiritual relationship counseling. Dale, for the first time in the 45 minutes we spent together, sat up in his chair and said "that's a great idea." We ended the session in prayer.
Later that day, I sat with a couple whom I had married five years ago. Both were in tears over the sudden death of the husband's father. They asked me if I would perform the memorial service. "Of course" was my response as I looked at my already over-crowded weekend schedule, trying to figure out what I could rearrange so that I would be available for the memorial service. We scheduled an appointment for the next day to discuss and create the funeral service. We ended the session in prayer.
Yesterday, I met with a couple whom I married two years ago. They have just been graced with the birth of their baby daughter. "Will you dedicate little Gracie to God, Rev. Barbara?" "Of course" was my reply as they placed this precious gift into my arms. "When are you planning this happy event?"
I rocked baby Gracie in my arms and took a moment for prayer. I know that mom and dad thought I was praying for baby Gracie, and I was. They were not aware, however, of my prayers for me.
Grant me strength, tenacity and patience!!
And, let it all lead to joy!!
Today I will spend the day building the curriculum to be used at the upcoming retreat regarding the Daily Life of a Minister. It will, of course, include practical matters such as scheduling appointments, preparing for services, etc., but some of what must be taught cannot be found in a text-book.
The Daily Life of a Minister must be balanced. We are called to minister to those in need. In order to be successful in our daily "giving" to others, we must have an equal balance of "giving" to ourselves. It is human to have needs, and ministers are human. To best fulfill our calling to be of service, we must remember our humanness and treat ourselves as such.
Students of the retreat will be walked through a series of prayers and meditations that will reveal to them their own unique way of maintaining balance as they walk the daily life of a minister. Students will be encouraged to define activities that bring them joy such as participation in hobbies, daily study, the use of organizational skills, and prayer. Students will be encouraged to develop community and support amongst their cohorts.
These issues are gentle reminders to me, as well, as I strive to maintain balance during my daily walk. Now, I must continue working on the retreat training curriculum. I will remember, however, to meet my friend, Jane, for lunch and to give thanks for her friendship and its ability to contribute to my attempts to maintain a balanced life as a minister.
Be blessed!
Rev. Barbara
Dear Rev,Barbra we must always thank those in ministry and i wanted to just thank you.We as well need daily encouragement and show our love towards one another and i find this is something many have forgot.My walk each day is a difficult one and i think for most that walk a truthful walk its the same for them as well.God our Father Jesus his son and the Holy Spirit we have been gifted with all are there for us each second of the day and we are so very blessed to be able to even say those words.I find many that don't see a woman being in ministry but they do not understand there bibles and many just do not want to admit the truth and i pray one day they will put there heads where they need to be in Gods word and get some truth.So i just wanted to say to you sister have a great day and week, month and year.None of us always agree with everything everyone says but we know we are all doing our very best to do Fathers will for our lives.If i can tell anyone what they need to do the most of that would be to learn how to love and encourage others daily and teach this as well.God has called us to do just that in his words and we must follow those teaching in order to be a success for him.I have found that the harder i try to do the will of God in my life the more love and encouragement i needed and so will everyone else.Without this it will be so hard to deal with the days ahead,if one is serious about his or her calling.
With love from a brother in the gospel harold wildest www.haroldwillettministries.org.
We must also understand we must help one another and tell others about each ministry because we do not know which ministry God will use to bring someone to his son.I lift yours up and pray you will mine as well.Also God has just given me a studio to use at not any cost at all and this studio is state of the art and when i say that i mean in the hurders of thousands.I have been blessed beyond my wildest dreams and i Praise God and thank him for all he is doing and will do.Walk with him and he will meet you and guide you and give you all you need,without a doubt.Hope this is a blessing to someone today.LICJ,Harold. Have a blessed day Rev, Barbra
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Maintaining a balanced life must be very hard for a minister, as both of you attest. I am only a twenty-something lay minister, but I see it in our pastor and his assistant. They are moving from one duty to the next almost 24-7.
I pray for you and for them . . .
And thank you,
Jazzmin (Sunday School Teacher)
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